The academic seas are stormy, and the typical landmarks are in flux. Sometimes the best path forward is to look to the past. Join us as we reflect on the purpose of education and the role of the liberal arts.

Credits:

Intro/Outro music - ⁠⁠⁠⁠Drew Elliot⁠⁠⁠⁠

Post-Production - Michael Morris

Additional thanks to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics⁠⁠⁠⁠ for their support of our production, Stevener Gaskin, Kimberly Fair and the ICAM Studio.

Initial Record Date: 5/18/2023

The penalties for breaking the law vary dramatically across time and space. In this episode we reflect on why certain patterns might emerge in how crimes are treated with respect to GDP per capita. We also consider the tradeoffs in play for those receiving punishment as well as the broader society.

Credits:

Intro/Outro music - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Drew Elliot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Post-Production - Michael Morris

Additional thanks to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for their support of our production, Stevener Gaskin, Kimberly Fair and the ICAM Studio.

Initial Record Date: 5/5/2023

The potential economic gains from migration are enormous. Even the smallest estimates suggest migration has the potential to raise incomes more than 10 fold that of increased openness to trade. Few seem happy with current policies in the US, but what can be done? In this episode we reflect on a bit of the history of migration in the US and discuss Weyl and Posner's proposal from their book, Radical Markets.

Credits:

Intro/Outro music - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Drew Elliot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Post-Production - Michael Morris

Additional thanks to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for their support of our production, Stevener Gaskin, Kimberly Fair and the ICAM Studio.

Initial Record Date: 4/18/2023

AI can emulate many things that humans do. AI can emulate many things humans can't do. AI can emulate many things humans shouldn't do. AI can emulate many things AI shouldn't do. Perhaps emulating human emotions falls into this fourth category. This certainly appears to be the consensus for condolence letters. But are there times where this artificial sincerity is appropriate? Could it ever offer an improvement? And regardless the moral implications, what are the implications? Join us as we explore the topic! Note: this was our first recorded episode (back in March of 2023).

Credits:

Intro/Outro music - ⁠⁠⁠Drew Elliot⁠⁠⁠

Post-Production - Michael Morris

Additional thanks to the ⁠⁠⁠Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics⁠⁠⁠ for their support of our production, Stevener Gaskin, Kimberly Fair and the ICAM Studio.

Initial Record Date: 3/14/2023

We generally think of scarcity in a negative light, but what would life look like if things weren't scarce? Could their be hidden mercies embedded in this concept. We invite you to share some of your scarce time and attention to reflect with us.

(Link to Referenced Article on Scarcity)

Credits:

Intro/Outro music - ⁠⁠⁠Drew Elliot⁠⁠⁠

Post-Production - Michael Morris

Additional thanks to the ⁠⁠⁠Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics⁠⁠⁠ for their support of our production, Stevener Gaskin, Kimberly Fair and the ICAM Studio.

Initial Record Date: 4/6/2023

What are the moral implications of prices? Is there such a thing as a "Just Price?" Under what conditions are prices unjust? Let's talk about arbitrarily giving money to random friends (or strangers), price gouging, and the effects of the prices on your soul.

Credits:

Intro/Outro music - ⁠⁠Drew Elliot⁠⁠

Post-Production - Michael Morris

Additional thanks to the ⁠⁠Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics⁠⁠ for their support of our production, Stevener Gaskin, Kimberly Fair and the ICAM Studio.

Initial Record Date: 10/2/2023

If knowledge is power and ignorance is bliss, where does that leave us?

Sometimes it might be better to just not know. But... if you want to know, Enoch Hill and Tim Taylor discuss in this week's Choosing Better Podcast.

Credits:

Intro/Outro music - ⁠Drew Elliot⁠

Post-Production - Michael Morris

Additional thanks to the ⁠Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics⁠ for their support of our production, Stevener Gaskin, Kimberly Fair and the ICAM Studio.

Initial Record Date: 10/2/2023

In a (somewhat) recent article, Ben Peterson suggests that

In this episode of Choosing Better, we explore the roles of shame and honor in society, discuss how these might best be implemented, and in what contexts they may be desirable or not.

Credits:

Intro/Outro music - Drew Elliot

Post-Production - Michael Morris

Thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics

Initial Record Date: 4/11/2023